The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) has unveiled its expanded 2025 Board of Directors, reflecting the organization’s commitment to navigating the largest fiber broadband investment cycle in history.
The board now includes an additional member and plans to add one more annually until 2027, reaching a total of 12 members. This strategic growth aligns with FBA’s mission to bridge the Digital Divide and extend fiber broadband access across North America.
“The excitement within the fiber broadband industry is palpable. We’re seeing record Capex investment in fiber broadband as we build our nation’s critical broadband infrastructure in an effort to connect every American by the end of the decade,” said Gary Bolton, FBA President and CEO.
“Our 2025 Board of Directors brings together diverse leadership from across the ecosystem to offer strategic guidance as our members tackle this critical moment in fiber broadband history.”
Leadership Appointments
Ariane Schaffer, Head of U.S. Federal & State Policy at GFiber, will serve as Board Chair for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2025. Schaffer has two years of FBA board experience and has been instrumental in advancing public policy and sustainability initiatives.
The 2025 Board of Directors features leaders from across the fiber broadband industry:
Chair: Ariane Schaffer, GFiber
Vice Chair: Ashley Brown, Adtran
Secretary: Evann Freeman, EPB of Chattanooga
Treasurer: Jimmy Todd, Nex-Tech
Scott Jackson, Graybar
Sachin Gupta, Centranet
Mark Boxer, OFS
Roger Timmerman, UTOPIA Fiber
Bob Whitman, Corning
Rob Shema, altafiber
New Members Bring Deep Expertise
Bob Whitman and Rob Shema join the board for three-year terms. Whitman, a veteran of optical fiber network development, has contributed to FBA programs for over 23 years, including serving during the association’s early days as the FTTH Council. Shema, co-founder of Hoosier Net and a grant expert, brings extensive experience in forging partnerships to expand fiber networks.
Re-elected members Jimmy Todd and Scott Jackson continue to bring their leadership to the board. Todd’s contributions include chairing the Precision Agriculture Working Group, while Jackson has been a key figure in supply chain strategy and sustainability initiatives.
A Farewell and New Role
As of December 31, 2024, Gregg Logan, Vice President of Engineering at C Spire, concludes his three-year term on the board. Logan, who served as Treasurer in 2024, will transition to Chair of the FBA Senior Council in 2025.
The 2025 board elections were finalized at FBA’s Premier Members Meeting, held December 9-10 in Islamorada, Florida.
The Fiber Broadband Association is poised to guide its members through this transformative period, pushing innovation and fostering partnerships to ensure universal high-speed internet access by the end of the decade.
